Report on winter readiness sought

Concerns over severe winter weather and power outages prompted councillors in Carrickmacross-Castleblayney MD to seek talks with emergency response agencies.

Members hear two attempts had been made to contact the ESB to to discuss storm responses and electricity outages heading into the winter months, but no response had yet been received.

FF Cllr PJ O’Hanlon suggested that Chief Fire Officer Dermot Brannigan should also be invited to a future meeting to discuss contingency plans ahead of any major weather events. He commended Mr Brannigan for heading up the county’s emergency response during Storm Éowyn.

Reflecting on the frequency of severe weather, Cllr O’Hanlon remarked: “At the rate these storms are coming, I wouldn’t be surprised if we were at the end of the alphabet by Christmas.”

Sinn Féin councillor Colm Carthy suggested an upcoming weather event could be called “Storm PJ”.

The remark drew laughter, with Cllr O’Hanlon taking the remark in good humour.

It was agreed invitations would issue to both Mr Brannigan and the ESB to attend the MD’s December meeting.